Park-Pagliuca Fund Drives $10 Million Donation Towards Long COVID Cures

On April 27, 2026, the PolyBio Research Foundation announced a significant contribution of $10 million from the Park-Pagliuca Fund aimed at supporting the Long COVID Cure Initiative (LCCI). This initiative's goal is to provide relief to millions suffering from Long COVID by translating critical academic research into practical diagnostic tests, more efficient clinical trials, and accessible therapies.

The Park-Pagliuca Fund is a philanthropic partnership formed by the families of Todd Park and Steve Pagliuca, both of whom have relatives affected by this debilitating condition. Long COVID has left countless individuals grappling with severe fatigue, neurological issues, and heightened health risks, leading to a staggering economic burden in the U.S., estimated to be in the trillions of dollars. The condition has also significantly impacted the workforce, with millions unable to work.

However, advancements in understanding Long COVID have been made. Over the past five years, PolyBio’s international research consortium has identified several biological factors associated with Long COVID, such as immune dysregulation and viral persistence, which can inform potential therapies. Yet, there remains a notable gap between the insights gained from research and the practical solutions accessible to patients and healthcare providers.

Bridging the Gap Between Science and Medicine
Dr. Amy Proal, President of PolyBio, emphasizes that the LCCI is aimed at bridging this divide swiftly and systematically to ensure that emerging scientific findings translate into tangible medical advancements for patients.

The new funding enhances previous investments made into the VIPER program, which is focused on validating biomarkers linked to the persistence of SARS-CoV-2 and other biological drivers of Long COVID. The funding will help establish a national network of diagnostics-guided clinical trials specifically tailored for Long COVID. By integrating validated diagnostics into trial designs and standardizing outcomes, this network aims to expedite trials, providing faster and more conclusive results that facilitate informed decision-making in IIi-pharmaceutical investments.

In addition to its work on Long COVID, PolyBio is exploring the application of the LCCI model for chronic Lyme disease, ME/CFS, and other related illnesses. This holistic approach aims to validate new diagnostic platforms that enable more targeted therapeutic interventions across a variety of chronic conditions.

A Catalyst for Future Funding
The commitment offered through this donation is not just an isolated event; it seeks to catalyze further philanthropic activity. The Park-Pagliuca Fund is actively courting additional donors to match this $10 million pledge to amplify the program's impact. This approach aims to unlock subsequent phases of LCCI, which include bolstering the diagnostics-led clinical trials network and translating findings into routine clinical practices through a medical education initiative.

Steve Pagliuca, Founder and CEO of PagsGroup, remarked on the urgency of this initiative, pointing out the devastating impacts Long COVID has on families, including his own. He urges that by merging philanthropic funding with a focused operational strategy, the LCCI can significantly accelerate the timeline for developing effective treatments that usually would take decades to achieve.

Todd Park, a co-founder of Devoted Health and Athenahealth, elaborates on the readiness of the science behind Long COVID, highlighting that the necessary infrastructure for validation and translation of these biological insights into helpful diagnostics and therapies is what's currently lacking.

This initiative represents a rare opportunity to address one of the most pressing medical challenges of our era, bringing hope and urgency to the fight against Long COVID. For those interested in supporting these efforts, donations can be made at polybio.org/lcci.

About PolyBio Research Foundation
The PolyBio Research Foundation, a 501(c)(3) organization, focuses on advancing research into how infections from viruses, bacteria, and parasites lead to chronic disease and aging. Their work fosters collaborative projects aimed at diagnosing and treating the underlying causes of infection-related chronic illnesses.